Spray pattern monitoring

Abstract

A spray pattern monitoring system includes a spray sensor disposed proximate an outlet of a spray nozzle. The spray sensor has one or more optical sensors configured to emit directional light, such as laser pulses, towards the expected position of a liquid spray emitted from the nozzle. The spray sensor can detect the absence or presence of the liquid spray based on returns of the directional light to the optical sensor.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A spray sensor for monitoring a liquid spray emitted by a spray nozzle, the spray sensor comprising:
 a plurality of optical sensors configured to emit and receive directional light; and 
 a sensor controller operably connected to the plurality of optical sensors, the sensor controller comprising:
 control circuitry; and 
 a memory encoded with instructions that, when executed by the control circuitry, cause:
 a first optical sensor of the plurality of optical sensors to emit a first output of directional light substantially orthogonal to the liquid spray; 
 a second optical sensor of the plurality of optical sensors to emit a second output of directional light substantially orthogonal to the liquid spray; and 
 the sensor controller to determine, based on a comparison of a first return of the first output of directional light reflected by the liquid spray and received by the first optical sensor and a second return of the second output of directional light reflected by the liquid spray and received by the second optical sensor, a liquid spray status of the liquid spray emitted by the spray nozzle; wherein the liquid spray status comprises:
 an absent liquid spray status when at least one of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor does not receive a respective return of the directional light; and 
 a present liquid spray status when each of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor receives the respective returns of the directional light. 
 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The spray sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the first optical sensor comprises a laser range finder. 
     
     
       3. The spray sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor controller further comprises:
 communications circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the control circuitry and with a control module of an agricultural implement. 
 
     
     
       4. The spray sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the communications circuitry is configured to communicate on at least one of a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band.